The Shamrock Bar & Grill

With games like pool, Skee-Ball, air hockey and ping-pong, Shamrock Bar and Grill is "like Chuck E. Cheese for adults," manager Ed Meyer says.

The cavernous, 13,000-square-foot space that makes up Shamrock Bar and Grill (4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 301-0938; www.shamrockparty.com) hosts a visual feast of fun: pool tables are scattered between two full bars; there's a large dance floor and accompanying stage, a mini bowling alley, shuffleboard tables, darts stations, Skee-Ball, ping-pong cages, a boxing machine, foosball and air-hockey tables, video poker machines, virtual racing and golfing games, and a four-player Pac-Man game. There's also a special lounge exclusively for women, which is often used to host bachelorette parties. "This place is like Chuck E. Cheese for adults," says manager Ed Meyer.

Shamrock Bar and Grill is the result of a grand vision that took owner Brian Murphy more than a year to realize. "Shamrock is now the biggest bar in Mid-City," Meyer says. Shamrock offers live music on Fridays, a DJ on Saturdays and karaoke on Sundays. It partners with the American Pool Association to hold the annual New Orleans Cup, and there are foosball tournaments every Tuesday. All LSU and New Orleans Saints games are shown on Shamrock's 100-square-foot screen, and the bar is open every day, including holidays. "Our business hours are from 3 p.m. until the last person is standing," Meyer says.

Shamrock also hosts events, offering per-person prices for open bar parties that include free pool, ping pong and darts. Miley Cyrus rented the entire venue for a wrap party, and local businesses often rent out part of the bar for company get-togethers. "All you need is 10 or 15 people, and you can get unlimited draft beer, white and red wine, sodas and juice for three hours for $15 per person," Meyer says. "Up that price to $19 and that includes bar-brand mixed drinks and domestic beer, as well."

The bar hosts a daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m., when games are $2, Pabst Blue Ribbon pints are $1.50, and imported beers are $3. There are more than 30 draft beers on tap and an on-site Breathalyzer macine. "Our customers usually take a cab, so more often than not the Breathalyzer machine is used in jest," Meyer says. The bar draws a large college crowd, as well as a loyal following among the older set. "We have a lot of regular customers who work in the Quarter and come here to kick back and relax," Meyer says. "There's something here for absolutely everyone."